Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases - Missouri ...

TICK-BORNE DISEASE PROVIDER
DIAGNOSIS (CONTINUED)
July 2011
Rashes may not be present or may be delayed. Blood tests are available but may
not be specific. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that
confirmation testing be done in addition to the screening test to ensure more
accurate results.
TREATMENT Each disease can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment works best if it is started
early. Discuss treatment options with the healthcare provider.
PREVENTION/CONTROL
� Children should not handle sick or dead animals, both domestic pets and wild animals.
� Game meats should be cooked thoroughly.
� Avoid tick-infested areas, especially from April through September.
� Wear proper clothing when in endemic areas. Wear long pants, tuck pants into socks,
wear a long sleeved shirt tucked into pants, and wear light-colored clothing so ticks are
easier to see.
� Check for ticks on clothing and entire body while outdoors and when returning
indoors. Check pets for ticks before letting them indoors.
� Remove ticks promptly. See http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html. Always grasp the
tick by the head or mouth parts and gently but steadily pull straight back. Squeezing
the body may cause the tick to inject infected saliva or blood. Do not use petroleum
jelly, nail polish, or burning matches to remove ticks.
� Apply insect repellants with 20% - 50% DEET on skin and clothing.
� Children 2 months and older, use a repellant with 30% DEET or less.
For more information, call Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) at 573-751-6113
or 866-628-9891 (8-5 Monday thru Friday) or your local health department.
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